Method of installing faucet



Feb. 2, 1965 A. M. MOEN 3,167,855

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METHOD OF INSTALLING FAUCET Filed Feb. 5, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. f/421 We,

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valve are indicated at 12 in FIG. 2.

United States Patent Ofiice 3,167,855 Patented .Feb. 2, 1965 3,167,855 METHOD OF INSTALLING FAUCET Alfred M. Moen, 151 Lakeview Drive, RJ). 1, Grafton, Ohio Filed Feb. 3, 1969, Ser. No. 6,468 7 Claims. (Cl. 29-157) This invention relates to a method of installing a faucet. In the particular form here shown it relates to the method of installing a mixing faucet, such as a shower faucet, but the invention is not limited to that particular association. It has for one object to provide a method by which a faucet assembly can be readily installed in a building as rooms are finished.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specification and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view with parts in section and parts in elevation illustrating the faucet housing, the plaster ground, the escutcheon and the handle members in line and separated from each other;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the faucet housing;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken on a reduced scale at line 3-3 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on an enlarged scale at line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevation of the escutcheon;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the handle cup;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the stoptube;

FIG. 8 is an inside view of the handle for adjusting the faucet;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the handle flange;

FIG. 10 is a section through the handle assembly with parts in elevation;

FIG. 11 is an inside view of the plaster ground member; and

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic showing with parts in sec- .tion and with some parts in exploded position illustrating the steps in the assembly of the faucet in an installed, complete tub and shower water supply installation.

Like parts are designated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

In the particular form here shown the device includesa housing member which is provided with inlet connections .1 and 2. These are, respectively, for hot and coldpwater and they lead into a central chamber 3 which is closed at one end as at 4 and is provided with an integral extension 5. The space within the chamber 3 and the member '5 receives :a valve part or parts or a valve assembly. None is shown in full since this invention is not limited to a particular valve assembly. Generally the valve assembly will include an operating stem. One form of sucha stem isshown at 6' in FIG. 1. From the spacewithin the member 5 an opening or discharge outlet 7 leads to a tub connection 8. Surrounding the chamber within the member 5 is a generally circular passage 9 -which is connected to a shower outlet 10.

As shown in FIG. 2 a diverter connection 11 may be within this connection. Means for operating the diverter In' one position this member closes the passage to the tub and water is discharged to the shower. In another position this dicommunication, respectively, with inlet openings 13 and 14 through which fluid. entering the connections 1 and 2 reaches the chamber 3 within which the mixing'valve is positioned.

The passage through themember 5 may be slightly enlarged, as at 15, and keyways 16 are cut through the member Sadjacent its outer end. The key which enters the keywa'ys 16 is indicated in position, as at 17 in FIG. 1.

In the exploded view of FIG. 1 the housing parts, the escutcheon and the handle parts are shown in proper relative position. Interposed between the escutcheon and the wall and the valve assembly and housing is a so-called plaster ground. This member serves a variety of purposes. For convenience when the faucet assembly of this invention is shipped the parts shown separated in FIG. 1 will preferably be fitted together, as shown in FIG. 12, so that the handle, escutcheon, faucet and assembly occupy the relative positions which they occupy when the device is finally completely installed in a position of use. The plaster ground is interposed between the escutcheon and the remainder of the device and serves as a frame and support for the parts in shipment. When the device is to be installed the parts are separated so that they are taken apart as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 1. The plaster ground is used as a positioning member and as a means for determining the size of the opening when a plaster wall is to be installed. In general the parts are separated, as shown in FIG. l for installation. It is assumed that the pipes are in place. The faucet housing is then secured to the supply pipes and the plasterground is positioned overthe member 5 of the housing and remains in place while the plaster is finislredand dries. It serves thus as a mold or form for the plaster. When the plaster has dried, the plaster ground is removed and the parts are further assembled.

The plaster ground in the particular form shown com- 'prises a generally flat member 18 which is provided with one or more perforations 19 through it. It has a peripheral flange 20 which is beveled as at 21 on itsexterior. It has also a central tubular extension 22 which extends farther away from the member 18 than does the flange 21, as shown particularly inFIG. 1. tubular extension 22 is equal to the length of the valve stem housing '5. When the plaster ground is assembled about the member 5 the inner end of the tubular portion 22 abuts against the valve housing and the outer surface of the flat portion 18 coincides with the outer surface of the wall 23. A keyway 24may be provided in the .tubular portion and a mating projection 25 may be formed on the housing section 5; thus the plaster ground is positioned accurately in relation to the housing as a 'whole. I

After the plaster has set the plaster ground member is removed and the escutcheon member is secured in place. The escutcheon member is provided with a hollow .or conical portion 26 which extends into the space left in the wall after the removal of the plaster ground member. The escutcheon also includes a lateral flange 27 and may carry a packing member 28 of rubberor similar material; The size of the extension 27 is such that it over- .lies the wall and the packing or sealing member28 is compressed against the wall when the escutcheon is screwed into place by means of the screws 29 which engage threaded openings 30 in suitable extensions of the housing member.

The valve means, of which only the stem 6 is shown, may be inserted in the housing before the escutcheon is put in place or afterward. Whenever it is inserted the key .17 is inserted in the keyway 16 and holds the valve assembly in place within its housing. Thereafter the stop tube 31 is put in place. It is provided with a keyway 32 into which the portion 17 of the key fits and thus the key The length of the 17 isheld from displacement. The handle may now be applied. I

The handle in the form shown in FIG. 1 comprises a gripping member 33 which has an integral knurled for roughenedportion-34 and a pointer 35. It is provided also with an integral tubular orhollow extension 36 and 1 an internal flange-forming member 37. As a means of securing the handle tothe valve stem 6 there is-provided is a water pipe leading to the tub spout. 66 is an elbow.

' 67 is a tub connection and 68 is a tub nozzle or spout.

a handle flange which includes a tubular portion 38 of The tubular a central tubular portion 44 which terminates in an inwardly directed flange 45. The tubular portion44may have a head 46 to make a tight'fit when the handle cup is pressed into place in the handle. The handle may conveniently be formed of plastic.

When the handle is assembled on the valve stem the flat portion 42 fits overa corresponding flattened portion "opening 49 in the valve stem 6. A finishing plate 50' is provided with spring fingers 51 and may be snapped or sprung into the open outwardly facingdepression 52 of the handle 33.

The handle is preferably provided with stops. 53

and 53a which engage the keyway or stop 32 on the sleeve and opens the passage to the shower nozzle 64. Once valve stem is modified to permitflusherifitting of the handle within the escutcheon so that it does not extend so far out. As shown therefore in FIG. 10, the valve stem 6 extends directly through the flange -37 of the handle. A mounting flange'54,'which is provided with engaging tongues 55 and a central'tubular portion 56,1is

secured to the handle by the tongues 55 and is provided with a flat portion and engages the correspondingflat 7 portion of the valve stem 6 in the same manner as ,that

described above in connection with the form of the handle shown in FIG. 1. ,A second flange 57 is provided shape and arrangement. of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the method of installation-might beaccomplished with faucetdevices of other descriptions and with water supply installations of a variety of types. 7 I

In FIG. 12 there are shown the steps in the assembly of a faucet in connectionwith a complete water supply system including shower and tub outlets. or faucets. A diverter is, illustrated injthe system of FIG.v 12. As shown in FIG. 12, 61 comprises a pipe or supply .of water to the shower; 62 anelbow; 63' is the shower nozzle support and 64 is a shower head. ornozzle. 65

his integralwith atubular sectionp58 which details shown. Many changes may be made in the form,

. rangernent.

the water'supply system vary in accordance with the fixtures to which it is to be attached. If there is merely a shower connection thesupply system will have one ar- If. there is merely a tub connection the supply system will be different from that for a shower and if, as shown in FIG. 12, there, are to be both shower and tub connections, the system of water supply maybe that shown in FIG. 12 with a .diverter or control member included so that at the will of the userthe water-may be caused to flow'eithe'r through thenozzle into the tub or 7 through the shower nozzle or head from above. Although the method of installation is notlimited to a particular type of diverter, nor in fact to the presence of any diverter-at all, where a diverter is to be-included, as in the form'of FIG. 12, it may be one which is provided with a spring control biased to hold. the diverter-in the position for discharge of water into the tub. I Where this is the caseif the user desires to accomplish discharge of water through the shower, the diverter is moved by pressing upon the member7t) and overcoming the resistance of the spring. The. diverter valve is thus. carriedto the position in which it closes-the'passages to the tub faucet 68 this movement has beenaccomplished the; pressureof the fluid moving throughthe system to the shower will hold the diverter in the: shower-directing position. When the water is finally turned, oil the spring which is biased to move the-diverter to the tub discharge position may act and in doing so will turn the diverter to the tub discharge position where it'will remain until positively actuated by the user'to produce -the shower discharge leflect. The operationand the details of'the diverterform 110 essential part of the present invention and the method .of installation may be accomplished in connection with the total assembly whether or not there isany diverter involved.

As stated above,- the water supply system is installed and it will include a housing member such as that-shown in section in FIG. 4 and in elevation in other figures. This is connected to. the water supplysystem in the manner shown, for example, in FIG. 12. The details of thesupporting means for supporting the water supply pipes and the discharge pipes are not shown as theyform noessential-p'art of the invention. v

When the water supply pipe system is-in position and the housing member is in position and properly connected to the water supply. system the faucet might be assembled but generally it will not be until the plastering 'or comparable finish of the wall has been accomplished. Sometimes, of course, the wall 23, as shown in-FIGS. land 12, will be finished withtile or any other. suitable finish. Whatevera the ffinish'to be applied to the. wall may be it is convenient and generally preferable to put the valve stem 6 and associated parts in position within thehousing. The stop tube 31 is mounted in position as shown inrFIGS. 1 and 12 and the member 18 is movedinto or V retained in the position shown in'FIG. 12.v The part 18 is referred to herein as a fpla'st'er' ground and it serves After plastering or other wall finishing has been completed the plaster ground 18 is removed. It is shown as partially removed in the, exploded position of FIG. ,1. During the plastering the covering cup or cap 71 Wlll normally be fitted over the tube 31. This cup or cap 71 may be made of cardboard or other disposable material and it prevents plaster from falling upon the stem 6 and any associated part, so that upon its removal after the completion of the plastering the valve and stem parts are clean and free from any plaster or other material which would interfere with their operation or interfere with the subsequent assembly of the necessary parts.

If we assume thatplastering and wall finishing are complete when the parts are in the position of FIG. 12, the next step is to remove the plaster ground member 18 and the cap 71. The plaster ground member may be held in place during plastering and drying by screws that pass through the smaller openings shown 1n FIG. 11 and are engaged in the threaded openings 30 of the housing member. They are removed, the cap 71 is removed and the plaster ground 18 is removed. The parts 18 and 71 are normally discarded. When they have been removed complete assembly of the faucet can take place. The escutcheon plate 26 is then moved into position over the stop tube 31. It will be noticed in FIG. 5 that there .is a notch inthe central opening of the escutcheon plate and this notch is fitted over and engaged with the keyway 32 in the tube 31. Screws 29 are then passed through the appropriate openings in the escutcheon plate and engage the threaded openings 30 in the houslng. The

escutcheon plate is then drawn tight against the wall, the

packing 28 being compressed between the outer surface of the wall 23 and the portion 27 of the escutcheon plate. The portion 26 of the escutcheon plate pro ects into the opening within the wall from which the plaster ground 18 has been withdrawn. With the parts thus assembled, the'handle knob may now be put in place. It comprises the gripping .member .or handle part 33 which, as shown at FIG. 8, is knurled at 34 and provided with a pointer 35. As shown in FIG. .12, the handle and supporting parts are assembled to permit the positioning of the handle as far inside the escutcheon as possible. Thus the tubular member. 38 ,projectsthrough the. opening in the handle and its .stop orstops 39. limit its movement in one direction by their contact with the p'ortion;3 7. The handle cup as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 1 is put in place within the tubular member 38 and its movement in one direction is limited by its flange 43. The knob or handle is thus complete as shown in FIG. 12. A modification of this arrangement is shown in FIG. 10 in which the end of the stem 6 projects more nearly to the outer surface of the knob or handle 35. The structural details of this supporting means are described above and will not be repeated here.

With the handle complete in the form either of FIG. 10 or FIG. 1, the tubular portion 38 is slipped over the exposed end of the stem 6, the part 42, for example, of the tubular portion 38 being fitted over and engaging the flattened portion 47 of the. stem 6. If desired there may be two flattened portions of the stem 6 and in that case the tubular member 38 would have two members or portions such as the portion 42. When the handle has been put fully into engagement with the stem, being moved in over the stern as far as the length of the flattened portion 47 permits, the screw 48 is then inserted in the tapped opening 49. It passes through the tubular portion 44 of the cup 43 and the flange of the screw rests upon the portion 45. When the screw has been screwed home, the handle is in complete location. The

pointer 35 will generally be aligned with indicia on the escutcheon plate as indicated in FIG. 5 in which the letter H indicates the direction of handle movement for hot water and the letter C indicates the direction of handle movement for cold water.

When the handle is fully in place and the screw 48 has been drawn home, the finishing plate 50 is inserted in the outwardly directed cavity of the handle, the spring fingers 51 serving to hold it removably in place.

The method of assembly above described comprises, therefore, steps of locating and securing the housing member permanently in place in the water supply system and the steps of mounting upon the housing the plaster ground and causing it to remain in place until the plastering and other wall finishing are complete. During that time the stern and associated parts are protected by the cap 71. Further steps in the method include the removal of the cap 71 and the plaster ground when the plastering and other wall finishing are complete. Thereafter the escutcheon plate is mounted upon the housing and drawn into final position to close the opening left by the removal of the plaster ground and to furnish an ornamental finish for the exterior portion of the assembly. The escutcheon plate also serves to indicate the direction of handle movement to accomplish the proper water supply and water mixing. Further steps in the method include the assembly of the handle either as shown in FIG. 1 or in FIG. 10, the mounting of the handle upon the stem 6 and finally the finishing of the handle by the insertion of the finishing member 50.

In the rotation of the valve stem means are provided to act as a stop to limit the rotation in each direction. These means comprise the shoulders 53 and 53a and the portion 32 of the sleeve 31. In clockwise rotation the shoulder 53a contacts the member 32 and limits rotation in that direction. correspondingly, in counterclockwise rotation the shoulder 53 contacts the member 32 and limits rotation in that direction. By this construction and manner of operation the valve stem itself is protected from any strain or shock as a result of the stop movement. Since the handle stop mechanism is contained within the handle and the sleeve 31, there is no strain due to the stopping action upon the stem or the screw 60 which fastens the handle to the stem, and there is thus no tendency to loosen the handle on the stem nor to loosen the screw which fastens the handle to the stem.

In assembling the valve the extensions 5a on the housin FIG. 2 members 6a of the valve cartridge or assembly are aligned with the extensions 5a of the valve housing 5. When the parts are in this position the valve assembly is properly positioned within the housing 5 and the plumber or other installer can be sure that he has mounted the valve assembly properly. The parts are then secured in proper position and alignment by a key 17 which extends through the keyways 16, as shown for example in FIGS. 2, 4 and 12.

I claim:

1. The method of installing a faucet, which includes the steps of fixing a housing in permanent position in relation to a support, securing a plaster ground member by securing parts upon said housing when so fixed, inserting a valve member in said housing, completing the plaster finishing of a wall adjacent said housing and against said plaster ground member on said housing, removing and discarding the plaster ground member, thereafter positioning within the cavity left by the removal of the ground member an escutcheon plate, securing said escutcheon plate by said securing parts in fixed relation to said housing, positioning a handle upon said valve member, and securing said handle to said valve member.

2. The method of installing a faucet, which includes the steps of fixing a housing in permanent position in relation to a support, securing a plaster ground member by securing parts upon said housing when so fixed, inserting a valve member in said housing, positioning a protective capover the adjacent portion of said housing, completing the plaster finishing of a wall adjacent said housing and against said plaster ground member on'said housing, removing and discarding the plaster-ground 'member and the protective cap, thereafter positioning within the cavity left by-the removal of the ground men1- securing said handle to said valve member.

3. The method of installing a faucet, which includes the steps of fixing a housing in permanent position in relation to a support, securing a plaster ground member by securing parts upon said housing when so fixed, inserting a valve member in said. housing, completing the plaster finishing of a wall adjacent said housing and against said plaster ground member on said housing, re-

moving and discarding the plaster ground member, there after positioning within the cavity left by the removal of. the ground member an escutcheon plate, securing said i escu-tcheon plate'by said securing parts in fixed relation to said housing, positioning a handle upon saidvalve serting a valve member in said housing, separately positioning a separate protective cap over the adjacent portion of said housing, completing the plaster finishing of a wall adjacent said housing and against said plaster ground member on said housing, removing and'discarding the plaster ground member and the protective cap,

thereafter positioning within the cavity left by the removal of the ground member an escutcheon plate, securing said escutcheon plate by said securing parts in fixed relation upon said housing, positioning a handle upon said valve member, and securing said handle to said valve member.

5. The method of installing a faucet, which includes the steps of fixing a housing in permanent position in relation to a support, securing a plaster ground member by-securing parts upon said housing when so fixed, inserting a valve member in said housing, completing the plaster finishing of a wall adjacent said. housing and against said plaster ground member on said housing,:re-

moving and discarding the plaster ground member, thereafter, positioning within the cavity left by the removal of the ground member an escutcheon plate, securing said esc-utcheon plate by said securing parts in fixed relation to said housing, positioning a handle upon said valve member, and securing said handle to said valve member and applying a, finishing. plate to said handle.

6. The method of installing a faucet, which-includes the' steps of, fixing a' housing in permanent-position in .relation to .asupport, securing a plaster ground member by securing parts upon said housing whenso fixed, inserting a valve' member in said housing, completing the plaster finishing of a wall adjacent said housing fand againstsaid plaster. ground member on said housing, removingflzinddiscarding the plaster ground member, thereafter positioning within the cavity left bythe removal of the ground member anescutcheon plate, securing said escutcheon plate by said securing parts in fixed relation upon said housing, positioning a handle upon said valve member, and securing said handle to s'aidvalve member and applying a finishing plate to said handle.

7. The method of installing a faucet, which includes the stepsof fixing a housing in permanent position in relation to a support, securing a plaster, ground member by securing parts upon said housing when sofixed, inserting a valve member insaid housing, separately positioning a separateprotectivecap over the-adjacent portion .ofsaid housing which has received-said valve, comjpleting the plaster. finishing of a.wall adjacent said housing and-against said vplaster ground member on said housing, removing and discarding the plaster ground member and the protective cap, thereafter positioning within the cavity leftby the removal of the ground member an escutcheon plate, securing said escutcheon plate by said securing parts in fixed relation upon said housing, positioning a handle upon said valve member, and securing v.said handle to said valve member andapplying a finishing plate to said handle.

References Cited by the Examiner LINITEDv STATES PATENTS WHITMORE A.'WILT2 Z, Primary Ex'qntiner.

ISADQR WEIL, NEDWIN BERGER, xaminers. 

1. THE METHOD OF INSTALLING A FAUCET, WHICH INCLUDES THE STEPS OF FIXING A HOUSING IN PERMANENT POSITION IN RELATION TO A SUPPORT, SECURING A PLASTER GROUND MEMBER BY SECURING PARTS UPON SAID HOUSING WHEN SO FIXED, INSERTING A VALVE MEMBER IN SAID HOUSING, COMPLETING THE PLASTER FINISHING OF A WALL ADJACENT SAID HOUSING AND AGAINST SAID PLASTER GROUND MEMBER ON SAID HOUSING, REMOVING AND DISCARDING THE PLASTER GROUND MEMBER, THEREAFTER POSITIONING WITHIN THE CAVITY LEFT BY THE REMOVAL OF THE GROUND MEMBER AN ESCUTCHEON PLATE, SECURING SAID ESCUTCHEON PLATE BY SAID SECURING PARTS IN FIXED RELATION TO SAID HOUSING, POSITIONING A HANDLE UPON SAID VALVE MEMBER, AND SECURING SAID HANDLE TO SAID VALVE MEMBER. 